Enlightenment

Definition

The Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries, emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. This period marked a significant shift in thought, encouraging people to seek knowledge through reason and observation rather than relying solely on religious doctrine or established norms. The Enlightenment had a profound impact on literature, science, and political theory, paving the way for modern democratic ideals and the rise of the novel as a literary form.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Enlightenment influenced a wide range of disciplines, including philosophy, science, politics, and art, leading to innovations in each field.
2. Key figures of the Enlightenment include philosophers like John Locke, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who championed ideas about liberty, equality, and government by consent.
3. The rise of the novel during the Enlightenment reflected new themes of individual experience and personal growth, marking a shift from traditional storytelling methods.
4. Enlightenment thinkers often challenged established religious and political systems, advocating for social reform and the separation of church and state.
5. The ideas propagated during the Enlightenment laid the groundwork for major political revolutions, including the American Revolution and the French Revolution.

Review Questions

• How did the Enlightenment influence the development of the novel as a literary form?
  • The Enlightenment played a crucial role in shaping the novel by introducing themes centered around individualism, personal experiences, and social commentary. As writers began to explore complex characters and their struggles within society, the novel became a vehicle for expressing Enlightenment ideals like reason, freedom, and morality. This shift allowed novels to reflect societal changes and engage readers in discussions about identity and human rights.
• In what ways did Enlightenment thinkers challenge traditional authority in society?
  • Enlightenment thinkers actively challenged traditional authority by questioning established norms in religion, government, and social structures. They promoted ideas such as rational thought over blind faith, advocating for the separation of church and state. This questioning led to movements aimed at reforming society and enhancing individual liberties, ultimately inspiring political revolutions that sought to replace autocratic rule with democratic governance based on reasoned principles.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of Enlightenment ideas on modern literature and political thought.
  • The Enlightenment's emphasis on reason, individualism, and skepticism has left a lasting impact on both literature and political thought. Modern literature continues to explore themes of personal identity and moral dilemmas that originated during this period. Politically, Enlightenment ideas are foundational to contemporary democratic principles such as human rights, equality before the law, and the idea of government by consent. These concepts remain central to debates about freedom and justice in today's society.

Related terms

Rationalism: A belief system that emphasizes reason as the primary source of knowledge, often associated with philosophers like René Descartes and Spinoza.

Humanism:

A cultural and intellectual movement that focused on human potential and achievements, emphasizing the study of classical texts and values from Ancient Greece and Rome.

Romanticism:

An artistic and literary movement that reacted against the Enlightenment's focus on reason, instead celebrating emotion, nature, and individual experience.